The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-29
PHIL ARMoUR,s GOOD SENSE.
The Chicago Pork-Packer Gives Directions
How To Run q C.lildren's Mission.

The Chicago PorIk-Packer Gives Directions
How to- Run q C.liIdren's Mission.
Chicago Herald.
When the Armour Mission, up on Thirty
third street, was started with Its $500, 900 en-
dowment. it hard TO decide just how to
manage the religious end of it. Joseph Armour
had directed in the will by which he gave it
800, that 1t shold be non-sectarian. Phil
fund. was altogether opposed to the mission be-
ing anything but broad, humanitarian charity,
with plenty of religion. of course. but of that
generic sort only which would be as acceptable
TO the Romanst to the Methodist. and as
agreeable to the Episcopalian as to the Baptist
The reverend gentleman who was finally Sc
lected so take charge of the religious welfare of
the institution was given. In general terms, an
Idea of this purpose of the founders.
They did not want any sectarianism of any
kind OF degree. Good doctrine from the Bible,
without any theology what he was asked to
give. He began with energy, and ran along for
some time on his own idea OF what the little
children and their parents, who filed the
benches, needed. One day he received a sum
mons to come down town TO the Office. He got
there promptly and was beckoned over to the big
packers desk Armour wheeled around In hls
chair couple of times if to select his vocabu-
larry, looked the man of God over carefully and
tnen launched forth his own ideas of theology.
you're giving those youngsters too much grape
ana canister" he began. slowly. .'Hell-fre and
birthstone are all right for the old sinners, but
the mission isn't for them. Now" he added,
with the same emphasis he'd TO one of his
Office clerks. II want you to change around and
try another plan. If you don't you'll drive all
those children away
When you begin your service in the morn
1ng, ne said, You can read q chapter from the
Bible. Something short. Then have a little
prayer, something short; not longer than that"
- measuring OF about foot with his fore
myers Then want you sing - sing
good many times" he repeated emphatically
Then tel! story" he continued something
with point to il and a moral but short. Then
you can have another little prayer but mind
you not longer than that. - holding up his
hands about six inches apart this time.
Mr. Armour, remarked the preacher rather
locosely, II suppose you can a packing
house, but you don't know much about relig-
ion."
We'll" said the builder Of the mission, very
sharply, will you try itF'
"Oh, yes" was the answer.
Phil Armours theological scheme has been in
vogue ever since that interview, and has been
great success. He goes up every Sunday to the
morning children's service and watches the thing
grow. Don't you mind the old fellows the
played out sinners" he constantly adjures the
minister in charge. If you old fellow
In the gutter. even, don't STOP but keep your
eye on the fellow ahead. Look out for him"
Armour theology has filed up the benches
ano they hold 500 people. The preacher. ever
since the sharp interview at the La Sale street
once. mas been working the new tack The
orders, the grown folks entirely ignored.
Inc whole service Is for the little ones. The
prayers are short-uot longer than Armour in
dicated with his two fore-hngers. There is sing
ing pretty nearly all the time. The lit
tie fellows are drilled TO recite to
sing solos And yet the benches are almost lied
with the parents and grown brothers and sisters